Welcome to Downtown Fort Myers, FL.
A great community to live or vacation in. Over 200 years ago, pirates sailed in and out of the islands along the southwestern gulf shores of Florida: Ft. Myers Beach (Estero and San Carlos Islands), Sanibel and Captiva, and Bonita Beach leaving treasures under the water. There are still many treasures here for you to enjoy and I hope my island tour will help you rediscover yourself.
Visitors Guide to Fort Myers Beach
The Ft. Myers Beach area consists of Estero and San Carlos islands. Estero is seven miles of white sandy beaches on the glistening blue-green Gulf of Mexico. The island’s original name was Crescent Beach because of the shape of the perimeter of the island.
In the early 1900s, the Koreshan Unity Society, a religious group, built the first structure on the south end of the island. By the early 1920s, the church fathers sold off all the land keeping one cottage for their use. The Koreshan Historical Society still owns the cottage.
At the turn of the century, the only way to get to Crescent Beach was by boat. eventually, some beautiful stone arches were built on San Carlos Island that led to a single lane wooden bridge. As time passed and residents increased, the arches were replaced with a swing bridge that would open to incoming and outgoing boat traffic. As the boats increased, the swing bridge was replaced with our Sky Bridge giving breathtaking views of the “World’s Safest Beach.”
About Fort Myers, FL
This beautiful Florida town has been one of the most popular vacation spots in the nation for nearly a century. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford often stayed here during the winter season and is the current spring training camp home of the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. Originally built in 1850 as a military fort, this city has come a long way to become the county seat of Lee County and be a thriving source of vacation rentals. Take a look at our Ft. Myers attractions list.
FOLKLORE
The real lure and romance of the island dates back to the early 1700s when Calico Jack, a dashing pirate whose real name was Capt. Racham and whose nickname came from the colorful clothes he wore, visited the island.
Calico Jack lived in Charlestown, S.C. where most of the single maidens were captivated by his charm. None, however, caught his eye until he met Anne Bonny. Bonny, an Irish lass, moved here with her father a disgraced attorney in Ireland to seek a new life and fortune. Mr. Bonny succeeded in amassing great wealth and wanted only the best for his daughter including potential suitors. Anne, being strong-willed, rejected any of her father’s choices marrying a poor sailor instead.
Anne’s actions caused her father great pain and he refused to give her any of his wealth. When the poor sailor found out, he left her. That is when Calico Jack caught her eye. The two fell hopelessly in love, meeting secretly aboard his ship. Anne cut off her curly locks to stow away on his ship.
They considered their first cruise their honeymoon cruise; only to be attacked by Spanish pirates and then to have their ship damaged by a storm front between Key West and Cuba. They drifted up the Gulf of Mexico into the Estero River and the Bay. The honeymooners came ashore on Estero Island where they lived in a cottage of palm and sticks while the ship’s carpenter restored the vessel. they have been among the first honeymooners to visit our island, but thousands since have come to this tropical paradise.
Fort Myers Tour Begins
The first island you visit approaching Ft. Myers Beach is San Carlos Island. This island is bordered on all sides by Estero Bay abundant in lush tropical vegetation, birds, and sea life. It is home to the area’s Shrimp boat fleet.
San Carlos Island
Many commercial and fun fishing charters leave from this island. The seafood is among the freshest in the world and “pink gold” as the locals call shrimp is abundant as well as other seafood in the local and colorful markets on the island. The Coast Guard calls this island home as well as Ostego Bay Foundation an educational facility that encourages the study and preservation of the local environs. The island has all the prices of housing from elaborate bay and deep water canal homes to canal front mobile homes to low-rise condominiums on the bay and canals. This is a boaters’ paradise.
Good article. Read You Need a Florida Vacation Planner to Guide You
Leaving San Carlos Island, we now approach the Sky Bridge. From the top, you can see the Shrimp boat fleet to the right, while pleasure boats may be stopping for gas or to visit one of the waterfront restaurants. From the top of the bridge, you have a panorama of paradise with perhaps a tall ship sailing into the sunlight. You can see the silhouettes of bayfront and beachfront homes and condos against the glistening water. A palette of pastel buildings catches your eye that house local merchants. A good friend from England told me that when he drove over the bridge for the first time and saw the beauty of the island, he knew he wanted to own a piece of paradise.
Estero Island
Turning right at the foot of the bridge takes you to the north end of the island. The north end is the narrowest part making both the bay and beach visible from the main road. The north end is home to beachfront condos and resorts as well as bayfront homes with deep dockage and easy Gulf access. Sanibel is two miles by sea from this side and can be seen from the tip of Estero Island.
We will now circle back heading south on Estero Blvd., the main road. We pass a public beach and park and a commercial area called “Times Square” which is home to T-shirt vendors, beach bars and restaurants.
We pass through a quieter commercial area. Streets jut out to the left with canal front homes and to the right with beach access and beachfront homes. There are some multi-family houses in this area. Pirate Pete’s, named for the island’s founding fathers, is in this part of the island. It’s a very unusual video store where tourists and local color enjoy each others’ company.
Wide stretches of white sandy beaches with colorful condos highlight the center of the island. There are homes on canals and the bay. There are fewer resorts in this area making it a quieter and more residential neighborhood.
Bonita Beach
The south end is our last stop. It is the quietest area having clusters of condominiums and newer homes in a more traditional beach sub-division type of environment. There are quiet canals and even a lagoon home to a myriad of birds and manatees. All have direct access to the Gulf. There is a small shopping center and an executive golf course. The gulf front homes are new, large and airy, and at the island’s end, there are condos on the bay and gulf.
The small bridge that leaves that end of the island takes you to a state park and beach and will lead you to Bonita Beach. Small uninhabited islands in that area of the bay hold ancient Indian mounds and history.
Of course, not everyone has to be on the water. A golf course is always nice. Maybe a home or condo near shopping, near golf and not far from Ft. Myers Beach or Sanibel is what you want. South Ft. Myers will fill the bill.
I hope this short tour has given you a glimpse of where I live and work. Your inquiries about vacation homes, retirement homes, investing, or moving here are all welcome. My staff and I pledge to give you the most professional and courteous service. We want to help make your move here memorable and happy.
Thank you to Orlando City Guide for all their help and expertise.
More Fort Myers Resources
Fort Myers Florida – Attractions & Things to Do in Fort …
www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/fort-myers.html
Fort Myers is popular for its beaches, fishing, shopping – and the opportunity to learn about two of the nation’s most famed inventors and business leaders.. You and your family can experience one-on-one natural encounters, play on top-notch beaches and treat yourselves to endless family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and resorts in Fort Myers and surrounding areas along southwest …
Fort Myers Beach Visitors Guide 2019-20 – Fort Myers Beach …
www.fortmyersbeach.org/product/fort-myers-beach-visitors-guide
Our 84 page Visitors Guide is packed with information on where to eat, stay and play on Fort Myers Beach! Cost is $5 and we only ship in the US. It may take up to 3 weeks to receive your visitor’s guide. Fort Myers Beach is not responsible for errors in addresses entered by customers. Please click here to continue shopping.
Fort Myers Travel Guide | Fort Myers Tourism – KAYAK
www.kayak.com/Fort-Myers.9175.guide
Fort Myers Travel Guide – View the KAYAK Fort Myers city guide for the best Fort Myers travel tips. To help you organize your Fort Myers trip ideas, this Fort Myers visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and more.
Fort Myers 2020: Best of Fort Myers, FL Tourism – Tripadvisor
www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g34230-Fort_Myers_Florida-Vacations.html
The City of Palms is located in Southwestern Florida on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Most visitors go to Fort Myers for the deep-sea fishing, the golf courses and the famous white sand beaches and islands that line the Gulf Coast. A renovation of the city’s downtown waterfront promises new restaurants, clubs, shops and galleries.
A Guide to Fort Myers Beach Florida Accommodations, Hotels …
www.fortmyersbeachonline.com/visitor.htm
Fort Myers Beach city guide with Dining and Accommodations Directories, information about Attractions, Sightseeing, Arts and Entertainment, Shopping, Real Estate, visitor information, Naples Calendar of Events. Fort Myers Beach Visitor Information. Welcome to Fort Myers Beach! Our community has something for everyone. If you’re into a sporty …
Fort Myers Beach Chamber Visitor’s Guide And Map
www.fortmyersbeach.org/maps-and-guides
Fort Myers Beach Chamber Visitor’s Guide And Map Be Prepared! Our 84 page Visitors Guide is packed with information on where to eat, stay and play on Fort Myers Beach! It also contains information on all our major events and a full business directory of our members by category. Cost is $5 and we only ship in the USA.
Request Your Free Travel Guide – Southwest Florida Travel
www.swflorida.travel/info/request-your-free-travel-guide
Request Your Free Travel Guide. Order Your FREE Travel Guide. Local Picks. Airboats and Alligators Visit Airboats and Alligators Capt. Tony’s Fishing Adventures Visit Capt. Tony’s Fishing Adventures Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours … 2164 W First Street, Suite A. Fort Myers 33901, FL
Fort Myers Beach Visitors Guide 2019-2020 by Vector & Ink …
issuu.com/adlit/docs/fmb_19-20_interactive_guide
Title: Fort Myers Beach Visitors Guide 2019-2020, Author: Vector & Ink, Name: Fort Myers Beach Visitors Guide 2019-2020, Length: 84 pages
Lonely Planet Guide – The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/order-travelers-guide
The Lonely Planet guidebook is a comprehensive resource filled with practical tips and local insights on what to see and do on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Fill out the form to request your free Lonely Planet guidebook in the mail.
COVID-19 Update – The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/covid-19-update
When the time is right for you, we look forward to welcoming you back to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. We encourage our visitors and locals to follow health and safety recommendations, practice social distancing, and avoid congregating in groups larger than 50 persons.
Things to Do in Southwest Florida Vacation and Travel Tips
www.mustdo.com
Forget tourist traps. We bring you hand-selected experiences that are tried and tested, embraced and encouraged. Our Must Do Visitor Guides include Must Do directories with more than 100 of the best things to do when visiting each of the following Southwest Florida vacation destinations: Fort Myers – Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Captiva …
Fort Myers Florida Hotel, Resort, Restaurant, Dining and …
fortmyers-online.com/visitor.htm
Fort Myers, Florida guide with hotel, accommodations, travel, lodging, dining, shopping, attractions, restaurants, events, and visitor information. Cheap Airfares by Airfarewatchdog.com. Fort Myers Visitor Information. Welcome to Florida’s Gulf Coast treasure – Fort Myers, where the smiles that greet you are as warm as our subtropical sun. …
Visit Fort Myers Beach | Coupons, Vacation, Information …
www.visitfortmyersbeach.com
Fort Myers Beach. A vacation Mecca, Fort Myers Beach, Florida is an island, seven miles wide, with plenty of sand, surf and fun. No more than one mile across at its widest, Fort Myers Beach residents number around 6,500. A mere drop in the sand bucket compared to a million-plus visitors each year.
For Visitors | Town of Fort Myers Beach, FL – Official Website
fortmyersbeachfl.gov/59/For-Visitors
Fort Myers Beach Town Hall 2525 Estero Boulevard Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Phone: 239-765-0202 Fax: 239-765-0909 Parking 239-463-5888 Water Dept 239-463-9914 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Contact Us
Fort Myers Beach, Florida Travel Guide for Hotels …
www.fortmyersbeachtravelguide.com
Fort Myers Beach is a town of about 6000 people that draws up to 60,000 visitors during high season or special events. The visitors to Fort Myers Beach are very diverse ranging from local teenagers to retirees to visitors from around the country and internationally.
Lee County VCB Tourism | Lee County Visitor & Convention …
www.leevcb.com
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (Lee VCB) provides valuable partner resources, from timely information on visitor research to tourism marketing and development, to details on Lee VCB programs, for businesses in Fort Myers & Sanibel, Florida.
Visitor & Convention Bureau
www.leegov.com/vcb
Fort Myers, FL 33901 View map; … Click “MORE” for the events list. More ›› Yes Yes Visit Leegov.com to find useful information for residents, businesses and visitors of Lee County in Southwest Florida. Admin Sign In. Visitor & Convention Bureau Lee County Government is investing in Human & Business Services to provide immediate assistance …
Pure Florida Fort Myers Visitor Information Center in Fort …
www.visitflorida.com/en-us/listing.a0t1W00000TIqTRQA1.html
Pure Florida Fort Myers Visitor Information Center. With locations in Naples and Fort Myers, the water attraction company offers sunset and specialty cruises as well as boat and Jet Ski rentals, fishing charters, jet boat trips, group events and educational field trips for schools and students.
Visit Fort Myers: 2020 Travel Guide for Fort Myers …
www.expedia.com/Fort-Myers.dx602729
The nearest airport to Fort Myers is Southwest Florida International Airport, which is about 25 minutes from Fort Myers by car. Although bus and coach routes connect Fort Myers with other major Floridian cities, such as Miami, Orlando and Tampa, renting a car is the best way to travel around the area itself.
2020 Fort Myers Relocation & Visitors Guide by Vector …
issuu.com/adlit/docs/fortmyers2020_printready?fr=sMWM2ZjM0NTU0OA
TOWN OF FORT MYERS BEACH: Casual Community At 6 square miles, Fort Myers Beach’s year-round population is a little more than 7,000, though it soars with seasonal visitors in the …
Fort Myers Family Vacation Guide – Free Travel & Visitor …
www.freefunguides.com/florida/fort-myers
Fort Myers Beach Visitors Guide While sometimes overshadowed by some of the other nearby resort communities, Fort Myers Beach is a destination that is popular with both families and singles alike. At the Ostego Bay Marine Science Center , visitors to Fort Myers Beach can get up-close-and-personal with marine life, as the Center goes so far as …
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Fort Myers Beach – 2020 (with …
www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34231-Activities-Fort_Myers_Beach_Florida.html
Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Fort Myers Beach, Florida on Tripadvisor: See 30,073 traveler reviews and photos of Fort Myers Beach tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. We have reviews of the best places to see in Fort Myers Beach. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
Sanibel Captiva Fort Myers Beaches and Keys
beachesandkeys.com
Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach Visitors Guide . Your Source For: Maps and Directions to: National, State and Local Attractions. Local Restaurants, Local Real Estate Services, Hotels and Resorts, Bicycling, Cruising, Water Sports,Jewelry Galleries, Art Galleries and Gift Shops,
Fort Myers, FL Travel Guide: Visit Fort Myers – SmarterTravel
www.smartertravel.com/destinations/visit-fort-myers-travel-guide
When to Visit Fort Myers. The best times to visit Fort Myers are after hurricane season and during the stone crab harvest. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30; stone crabs, a …
Visit Fort Myers | Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce
fortmyers.org/visit-fort-myers
Visit Fort Myers. There’s always something to do in the Fort Myers area! We have many attractions and activities to make your stay exciting and interesting everywhere you go, you’ll find smiling faces welcoming you! Where to Stay.
A Guide to Fort Myers Beach Florida Accommodations, Hotels …
www.fortmyersbeachonline.com/attract.htm
Fort Myers Beach city guide with Dining and Accommodations Directories, information about Attractions, Sightseeing, Arts and Entertainment, Shopping, Real Estate, visitor information, Naples Calendar of Events.
Fort Myers Travel Guide | U.S. News Travel
travel.usnews.com/Fort_Myers_FL
The best time to visit Fort Myers is between March and May. Although the sun is up and rates are down, visitors wanting a quiet vacation should be on the lookout for spring breakers.
Fort Myers Travel Guide | Fort Myers Tourism – KAYAK
www.nz.kayak.com/Fort-Myers.9175.guide
Fort Myers Travel Guide – View the KAYAK Fort Myers city guide for the best Fort Myers travel tips. To help you organize your Fort Myers trip ideas, this Fort Myers visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and more.
Fort Myers Visitors Guide | Fort Myers Boat Show | Galati …
www.galatiyachts.com/yachting-news/fort-myers-visitors-guide-fort-myers-boat-show
Fort Myers Visitors Guide For The 2019 Fort Myers Boat Show The 2019 Fort Myers Boat Show is right around the corner kicking off November 21 st – 24 th , at Centennial Park. This exceptional event is home to one of the largest line-up of boats on the west coast of Florida every year.
Visit Fort Myers Beach: 2020 Travel Guide for Fort Myers …
www.expedia.com/Fort-Myers-Beach.dx7194
Travel guide resource for your visit to Fort Myers Beach. Discover the best of Fort Myers Beach so you can plan your trip right. … Fort Myers Beach is an idyllic town just 15 miles (24 kilometers) outside the city of Fort Myers. It sits on the small barrier island of Estero, located along the Gulf of Mexico. …